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Sam Perrett could have always retreated to his wing if things didn't work out, but the Bulldogs' Mr Reliable has made his switch to fullback personal this NRL season.

Canterbury were desperately trying to sign a fullback to replace ace Ben Barba in the off-season, and are still open to picking a No.1 up off the open market if the opportunity presents itself.

Perrett could have been and, perhaps still is, a part-time fullback.

But that's not how the 28-year-old seasoned professional has approached the task given to him by coach Des Hasler.

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If fullback has become one of the most important positions on the football field in the modern game, then Perrett has become an invaluable asset for the Bulldogs in their early-season charge to the top of the ladder.

In round one, the Bulldogs looked listless in attack in a deflating loss to Brisbane, and immediately the knives were out for Perrett - critics suggesting Hasler needed a man in the back with a bit more pizzazz.

But since then, the Bulldogs have suffered just one other loss and, come round nine, Canterbury will back their safe-as-houses fullback to even outshine St George Illawarra custodian Josh Dugan, who is favoured to wear the No.1 for NSW in the State of Origin opener.

New Zealand selectors decided to overlook him for last year's World Cup and last week's Test against Australia.

Bulldogs front-rower Aiden Tolman says the club's lack of certainty over the fullback position has helped Perrett turn the circumstance into a life-or-death-situation.

"I can only speak from what I would think and it wouldn't bother me. That just means you've got to go out there and play good footy - week in, week out - and, if you do that, then I'm sure the club will want to keep him," Tolman said.

"Sam's a player everyone loves around here. He's a great clubman and I'm sure the club want to keep him.

"Every team needs a good fullback - he's been crucial for us.

"I'm sure he's still got a long way to go in terms of where he wants to be as a fullback ... he hadn't played a lot of fullback before this season ... but this year, he's been doing a tremendous job. If he keeps going in the way he is, he'll be up there with the best of them."